Latest rumour on next model

[Zuber]

Hello all,

Just got an unofficial reply from our source in Japan that Sharp "may" have a new model out around end of November (Seamed quite confident).

No info on specs etc. what so ever. But if true, hopefully a bigger step up than the C760 to C860 update  

If they make this one with a Barbie Pink top (Wife called the C760 Barbie White), I'll kill them.

I should point out that when I have contacted these guys in the past following rumours, they have always dismissed them. So I reckon there is something to this one.

Besides which, not good for business telling everyone there may be a new model when you have existing stock, so not sure why I am telling you guys  

Oh, we have dropped the prices a little to compensate on the "Possible" new release. If it is Barbie pink, prices are going back up  

[bluedevils]

I can't wait for more details, but tell your wife that it is apple (ipod) white.  I swear sharp and apple could easly turn the Z into the osx newton.  I'd still put linux on it though.

[kic]

Interesting to hear more rumors circulate. I just got an 860 about a week and a half ago, and I was originally going to wait since it seemed quite possible there'd be a new model coming out.

Still happy with the purchase, but I may have to sell it and get whatever is new if it turns out to be compatible with everything. Provided this all happens, ya know.

[Zuber]

Can't keep waiting for things, or you will never buy...

Still talking 2 months away, though I would guess expect an announcement earlier.

[kahm]

Well, I have a friend working in Japan right now whom I'm going to visit at the end of October. We're both big Zaurus fans (I got my 5000d directly from a Sharp VP to write an evaluation on it when I worked for the University here...) and we were planning on picking up SLC-860's. I read here about the possibility of  a new unit (which If it happens to be a major upgrade should be called the Sharp SLD-900, given Sharp's SLA-300, SLB-500, SLC-700 numbering) so we decided to wait.

Well, the store we were going to get the 860s at put them on sale for ~48500 yen ($570 Canadian), so that's out the window. One of my friends Japanese co-workers is going to pick them up for us today.

My friend will be there long enough that I hold out hope that I can pick up a new model one in January.

Why another one? I'll put PDAXrom on one, Cacko on the other!

[ashikase]

Just saw this on Mobile News (Japanese):

One of Sharp's exhibits at World PC Expo 2004 (Oct. 20-23) is called "ビジネスにエンターテイメントにパワーアップしたZAURUS" ("Powered-up Zaurus for business and entertainment"). No other details.

... and I was hoping they'd be releasing a new model at CEATEC next week, since I'm going to that. Doubt my boss will send me to WPC Expo this year. Oh well.

- ashikase
  anpachi, gifu, japan

[tumnus]

Sharp is going to have to pull out something special and also make it affordable and smaller (HP manage to cram a lot in a small space). Sadly, it appears that Sharp has given up on the PDA market outside of Japan.

There is intense competition in the PDA market in Europe and USA. Take a look at these VGA Pocket PC devices for example:

http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/iPAQ_hx4705.htm
http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/ASUS_A730.htm

HP and other new market entrants like ASUS are churning out high specced PDAs like there's no tomorrow and the prices seem relatively reasonable. In fact those PDAs in the links above are missing just one thing IMHO... a hardware keyboard (oh and Linux  but even then iPAQs seem to invariably get a Linux ROM eventually.) Shame I dislike the Pocket PC OS so much and well, have no money either...  

[Zuber]

Got a few more bits of rumour today, but got sworn to secrecy. Sorry...

All I'll say is, assuming info I am getting is accurate, it may not be quite what you expected/hoped. Some unexpected pros, some disappointments.

Information (but not the devices) should be more widely available soon.

[ashikase]

Zuber:

Any idea if it will be shown at CEATEC, or are they waiting for WPC Expo?

I know that it will be at WPC, but I'm hoping they'll also show it next week since I'll be there.

- ashikase
  anpachi, gifu, japan

[Zuber]

Wasn't given that info as such, but I'd guess WPC Expo.

[kic]

Zuber, not sure how to interpret that.  Suppose we'll just wait and see.

At this point, I'd be happy with a beefed up C860. Faster cpu, maybe some more ram, and I'd be fine. Built-in wifi would be nice, but I can always get a card for that.

As I play more with emulation on the thing, I'd love to see more horsepower under its hood.

[loopy29]

Zuber,

Just so I don't get excited about nothing. We are talking about a new clamshell model right?  Just asking because I just realised that you never actually mentioned this. If this is the case, I believe any upgrade is better than none. After your comments, I am sort of no longer expecting the integrated Wifi. I guess that will be the dissapointment. But you dan't have to tell off course...

best regards,
Jan

[swing]

Any idea if it will be shown at CEATEC, or are they waiting for WPC Expo?

I know that it will be at WPC

Based on Sharp CEATEC Press Release I guess CEATEC is aimed at the personal market, and WPC Expo is based on business - hence it's looking more likely any new Zaurus will be at WPC Expo, although I guess there's always a chance someone at CEATEC has one....

[ashikase]

I ended up at CEATEC earlier than I expected.  I took a walk around the Sharp area; they're still setting up (CEATEC officially starts tomorrow), but I didn't see any sign of anything Zaurus related. So I guess it will be WPC, afterall.

- ashikase
  anpachi, gifu, japan

[loopy29]

Hi there,

If you see anythin at all, be sure to let us know  Maybe the sharp reps are willing to talk?

regards,
Jan